The Jungle Book

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Basil Poledouris today is missed for his adventurous themes and bold scores. At the period of 94, we almost never seemed to get something else. The Jungle Book is a difficult to obtain score, at least that is what I think of it. Because my response when I finally located it somewhere was "is it real?" And real it is, as great as I imagined it unfortunately not. This is the problem with standards who were set high before you have even heard a thing of it. Of course the multiple listens make the score each time better but in a way there is a lack of highlights, really strong moments of score. I don't mean that The Jungle Book is bad because it isn't but the themes aren't as sweeping as I thought they would be, and more I don't have the fun aspect of listening to a Poledouris soundtrack. I frankly expected so much more of it, even if it grows on me with each listen. Perhaps you can see my negative impressions as a good sign for you, perhaps you might think that I am right and obtain the score with average impressions. So, then most likely the score will turn out much better than before. So still all is well and good when you encounter the score, because the themes need growth and require attention, even if they aren't that high standard.

The score to The Jungle Book hasn't got a super main theme, it does have a good main theme and is a bit in the line of the epic feel of Farewell to the King (but not that sweeping or strong). Though, it seems that it grows more in each track and at the end you really like it. And secondly the adventure music is not thematically rich but more bouncy (with the playful themes and variations for the animals), like in 'Monkey City' which is probably the best example. The best example of fun are the last tracks 'Spoils' and 'Finale' which contain stronger versions of the themes, more fanfares of heroism and a lot more potential overall. Here is actually the kind of score I wished it could be. The middle part consists of a lot more bounce and a lot more romance, both explaining the track titles 'Monkey City' and 'Kitty'. The entire score is actually adventure mixed with romance and quirky themes. This does make that I don't enjoy the score overall and mostly it are just the moments of the middle that keep me interested and satisfied. That is for me the problem of the score, this is not from start to finish thematic fun, even though the light themes are attractive on their own. Of course, no way do they compete when the main theme makes its entrance with an epic and emotional version. 'Kitty' has nice moments of this epic and beautiful feel.

The song which seems to be missing on other releases (probably this is a re release) is not good, I mean it is bad because it brings nothing we haven't heard before and even reaches that corny level sometimes, making it a skipper when I listen to the score. Now, considering the highlight or best track, it has to be 'Spoils' because here we find the fanfares and the strongest thematic moments of score, the last track is equally exciting though. Overall, people reading this will comment that I sound more negative than positive and it is a fact that I cannot hide my disappointment. I find that this score has thematic highlights but just moments and when the rest is heard, I suddenly lose the interest really good. For others this might be a blessing, perhaps they will not set high standards and will be swept away by its adventurous sound. The Jungle Book is definitely a winner for Poledouris fans and the tracks that do please are a nice memory at the end of the listen. To tell you the truth, don't listen to me and when you are a huge Poledouris fan, then I recommend The Jungle Book with all my approval. The problem is, I cannot recommend it from my heart. Its like a score that listens good but you aren't getting that magical feeling when you hear the theme or score.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Two Different Worlds: Kenny Loggins (5.49)

2. Main Titles / The Caravan (4.20)

3. Shere Kahn Attacks (4.48)

4. Mowgli (3.40)

5. Monkey City (4.39)

6. Kitty (5.19)

7. Treasure Room (4.10)

8. Civilization (5.32)

9. Baloo (2.49)

10. Spoils (9.11)

11. Finale (3.30)

Total Length: 54.00

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Basil Poledouris ===